When to Go Back to Work After Having a Baby

It's one of the toughest decisions every new mom faces. Some factors to consider before returning to work.

Figuring out when — or if — you should go back to work can be a new mom's toughest decision. It's easy to get overwhelmed with all the factors you have to consider: What's best for the baby? What's best for you? Can you afford to stay home? Will your career take a nosedive if you do? Who will care for your baby if you don't?

One way to navigate this difficult dilemma is to break the decision into manageable bites. Ask yourself a few key questions in each of the following realms. (Remember, there are no right or wrong answers. The purpose is to help you figure out where you stand on the big issues, so you'll be a step closer to determining what's right for you.)

Emotionally, how will you feel about being away from your baby? (You might not know until you do it and that's okay.) How comfortable are you with the idea of someone else caring for her? How important is it to keep your career on track? Can you live without the unique fulfillment that a career brings, or is it too important a part of who you are? How will you feel about missing any of the major milestones in your baby's life — first words, first steps?

Logistically, if you do choose to go back to work, will you put your little one in daycare or hire a nanny? Is there a relative who can tend her? Or is your partner willing (and able) to take over the reins? How many hours are you willing to work? Even if you're not headed back right away, it's a good idea to think now about what type of arrangement would work best for you. If you can't come up with a scenario that will allow you to comfortably leave the home, your choices may be more limited.

Financially, staying at home (even part-time) isn't an option for many mothers; they simply must work. To find out if you can afford to quit or reduce your hours, make a budget. List how much you require for fixed expenses — mortgage or rent, insurance, loan payments, utilities, food and so on — and how much you need for extras like dinners out. Now determine how much money you absolutely must have to be modestly comfortable (with a cushion for emergencies). Consider whether the money you'll make will offset the costs of earning it (gas, clothing, childcare, lunches — and time away from your baby). Are there options to cut your time away from home — like working part-time, or full- or part-time from home or job sharing?

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect the First Year. Health information on this site is based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions including ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), as well as the What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

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What to Expect the First Year, 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel.